Squad support community programmes.
Colchester United's players have committed their support to the club's Football in the Community programme, with ten of the squad becoming ambassadors to a range of schemes benefitting Colchester and the rest of the local area.
The U's Football in the Community team are launching a number of new programmes, having received new lines of funding at the start of the season.
And, as well as the hundreds of hours of community visits they already carry out across the region. the first team squad will be playing a part as ambassadors for the new schemes.
Luke Prosser, first team captain, said: "The players are pleased to be supporting these new programmes.
"It is important for us to work within the local community and to meet many of those who come to watch us on a Saturday afternoon.
"The squad are looking forward to playing their part in promoting these new initiatives."
The player ambassadors assigned to the Football in the Community programmes are:-
Development Centre Programme: Sammie Szmodics
EFL Trust +Sport and Learn Programme: Sam Walker
FITC Ambassador: Alex Wynter
FITC Ambassador: Alex Wynter
Football College Programmes: James Bransgrove
Grassroots Development Programme: Tom Lapslie
Holiday Programmes: Denny Johnstone
Premier League Girls Programme: Drey Wright
Premier League Kicks Programme: Alex Wynter
Premier League Primary Stars School Programme: Craig Slater
School Sports Programme: Kane Vincent-Young
Walking Football Programme: Luke Prosser
Dave Palmer, PFA Community Liaison Executive said: "Colchester United deserve great credit for the way in which they have linked their players into key areas of community work this season.
"It was fantastic to see so many players supporting a role as an Ambassador at the meeting last week.
"Our members are hugely influential role models who have the ability to motivate, enthuse and inspire and I have no doubt that they will all make a positive impact within their chosen areas of support."
The U's Football in the Community programme currently operates in 65 schools a week, working with over 6,500 participants and employing 27 staff.
Corin Haines, Colchester United Community Manager added: "Player engagement is a hugely important part of our delivery model, the players create live long memories through appearances and interaction with our participants.
"The role of our community ambassadors will enable the players to further support our work whilst acting as Colchester United Football in the Community representatives.
"The process has been superbly supported by the football club, the players themselves and PFA, we look forward to the ambassadors getting started in the coming weeks and them making an even greater impact within our community."